Oh that my breath could breathe a pest among ye!

Then am I made the murderer of my wife!

Nay, even worse than that. Then-(in a tone of contempt)

Then do these eyes

Commit an oversight, and my own sword

Is buried in her bosom !

(Laughing bitterly.)

This is a master-piece!

(The whole of the CONSPIRATORS lean pensively on their weapons.-Several wipe the tears from their eyes.—A pause of some moments.-FIESKO, weak and exhausted, contemplating the assembly.)

And is there any here that sorrows for Fiesko?

Yes, yes, by Heavens! a Prince's Murderers weep,

But wherefore do ye weep my Countrymen ?

Is it Death's sacrilege, (pointing to the body.)

That wakes your pity?

Or weep ye to behold Ambition's fall?

(Bending over the body in an attitude of tenderest sympathy.)

Forgive me, Leonora ! Repentance comes too late.

I cannot weep!

When the hard hearts of murderers melt in pity,

Fiesko's noblest sorrow isdespair!

(Sinking down by the body, and proceeding in a tone of

softest tenderness.)

And is it come to this?

Years in advance

I pictur'd to myself the blessed hour,

When I should shew the Genoese, their Princess.
Years in advance, I painted to my heart,

The rising blush that would suffuse thy cheek,
The soft emotions that would fill thy bosom.
Methought I heard thy sweetly lisping voice,
In gentlest accents, chide Fiesko's pride,
And modestly decline Imperial Honors !
(Springing up with fervor.)

Heavens! how I gloried in a Prince's name,
How the proud Title swell'd my inmost soul,
Fill'd my big heart and magnified my being!
Leonora at length the hour is come!

Lavagna triumphs! Thy Fiesko, reigns!

Genoa is mine!

-And the poor Wretch,

That begs from door to door, would scruple

To exchange his fortunes with me; would balance

To lay down his tatter'd weeds, and take

Fiesko's anguish, with his Purple.

(Strongly affected.)

A wife partakes his sorrows! But who have I,

To share my glories, and partake my joys?

(He bursts into tears and hides his face upon the body.)

KALKAGNO.

She was indeed a noble lady!

ZIBO.

Be cautious how you let the people hear it,
'Twould take away the courage of our friends,
And raise the spirits of Andreas' party.

FIESKO (rising collectedly and with resolution.)
Attend, my Countrymen !

If right I understand the will of Heaven,
This wound was given to prove Fiesko's heart,
And make a trial of its strength and greatness.
The test was dreadful, but I have withstood it.
Henceforth nor joy nor torment can affect me,
I laugh at transport, I defy misfortune!

My soul is ready to embrace its greatness.

Said you not Genoa waits me? Come then my friends,

I will present my country with a Prince,

Such as no power in Europe yet could boast of.

Come, I will prove deserving of a Throne,

And answer every wish your hearts desire !
Adieu ! poor

luckless Princess! The last sad honors,

We can give, be paid thee! I'll celebrate

Thy funeral with such pomp, that Life shall lose
Its votaries and admirers, and Death appear,

Apparel'd like a bride !

Now follow me, my Countrymen !

(Exeunt amid martial music)

SCENE XIII.

ANDREAS DORIA.-LOMELLIN.

ANDREAS.

Hear'st thou those shouts of triumph ?

LOMELLIN.

Their success

Has blinded them, the gates are left defenceless.

The people rush in crowds to the Signoria !

LOMELLIN.

What say you, Duke? Surely you do not still

Encourage Hope?

ANDREAS (earnestly.)

How dar'st thou sport

With my misfortunes? It is a mockery
To call me, Duke, and yet deny me, Hope!

LOMELLIN.

But only think, my Lord! A raging nation,
In Fiesko's scale, what counterpoise in yours?
ANDREAS (warm and with dignity.)

My trust in Heaven!

LOMELLIN.

Angels have ceas'd to fight,

Since powder was invented!

ANDREAS.

Poor wretched miscreant!

Would'st thou take away, the last support these

Silver hairs have left them, dependance on their God?

(In a commanding tone.)

Go! make it known that yet Andreas lives,
Say, "He entreats his children to protect him,
"And not to drive him in his eightieth year,
"To seek for shelter in a land of strangers;